This article describes different approaches to convert existing content sets (such as game collections) from raw media image files to RP9 packages

DISCUSSION

RP9 is a file format that stores the media images (e.g. ADF, D64, etc.) with the title description and configuration in a single compressed file that is ready to run with one click. Additional ancillary files like artwork, audio and documentation can also be part of the RP9.

To manually create a single RP9 package:

Select File/New from the player

Drag and drop the media images over the dialog

Click the Autoconfigure from Files button

If the media images are recognized, properties like the Publisher, Title and Publication Year will be preset, otherwise they need to be set manually

In Amiga Forever 2013 "R2" and higher you can also select one or more files in File Explorer, right-click and select Convert to RP9.

Conversion of multiple media files to RP9 can be approached in two steps:

Launch RP9 Toolbox from the Tools menu, and select the Import option

After the conversion right-click the resulting titles and select Edit to modify or add details, or select File/New to create missing RP9 packages

For titles that are recognized based on RetroPlatform Library data, RP9 Toolbox will aggregate files from multi-disk (or other media type) sets into the same RP9 package, and set other properties like Publisher, Title, Publication Year, and configuration.

Titles that are not recognized are aggregated and named based on their TOSEC file names (if available).

Unrecognized titles may be imported into the Applications tab by default. To move them to other tabs right-click them (Shift-click to select multiple titles) and select Move to... This also updates the Type property.

To edit an RP9 and add or update the incomplete information:

Right-click the title and select Edit

In the General tab, start typing the Publisher name (if missing) and then select the name from the menu if possible

Start typing the Title, and select the name from the menu if possible

Selecting the names from the menu ensures that the unique OIDs are set, which is required for content rating, status updates and recognition

Add screenshots (800x600, 640x480, 320x240 or 160x120, PNG format) making sure that the screens are flagged correctly either as "Running" (for a memorable in-game screenshot or similar) or "Title" (if a title is displayed in the screen)

As a minimum, set the Publisher, Title, Year, Type, Genre and at least one "Running" screen, and make sure that the configuration is correct

For help with setting the clipping values see exiting clipping values for games based on the same chipset (a handful of clipping value combinations tend to be used for most titles), and refer to the context help for the clipping values for additional information

If clipping is not set for an Amiga title, the screen may be resized dynamically during playback as the content changes

In the Extras tab you can add not only screenshots, but also audio tracks, PDFs, box shots, etc. (remember to set the appropriate cataloging attributes for each file)

To familiarize yourself with all RP9 options you can browse through the tabs and dialogs of the RP9 Editor, and refer to the detailed context help that is available for each item (click "?" and then the setting)

Additional tips on media images:

Missing disk images (e.g. for save disks) can be added manually in the editor

If you can choose between different media formats, HDFs are preferred over floppy disk images for speed reasons, while ADF floppy disk images are preferred over SPS disk image formats because ADFs are more compatible with various player implementations

CD images can be used as well, either by adding stand-alone ISO images, or by adding BIN/CUE file sets (drag and drop all other files together with the ISO file)

If you prefer to use an existing configuration (e.g. a game, or a blank system from the Systems tab), right-click it, select Create Copy, then Edit that.

We can assist in adding uncataloged titles to RetroPlatform Library so that they can be assigned an OID. To submit data please use a spreadsheet that has the following four columns: Publisher, Publisher OID, Title, Publication Year. If the Publisher itself is uncataloged, leave the OID blank. Otherwise indicate the Publisher OID as shown in the General tab.